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baberi22's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
dlarkin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
A fantastic read that lived up to the hype! A very unique and diverse setting with a breakneck pace! I just wanted more and can’t wait to get into the sequel
thepetitepunk's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Highly creative and captivating, Black Sun is the first novel in the Between Earth and Sky series. Inspired by pre-Columbian American civilizations, this is a story about prophecy, magic, tragedy, and revenge, shown through the lens of multiple points of view.
Roanhorse's writing style is excellent. Although I typically struggle with the fantasy genre, I was hooked by the first chapter. Detailed and clever, each character is unique and whole, all with their own admirable characteristics and flaws. The plot builds at a steady pace, definitely maximizing the effects of the last few scenes.
I also immensely appreciated the diversity. There were a variety of gender identities and sexualities represented (including a person who uses xe/xir pronouns!). These identities were normalized, which was a refreshing break from constantly seeing non-cis/het characters being bashed and belittled in fiction--we have enough of that in real life.
Overall, I would highly recommend Black Sun. I rarely read fantasy or adult, let alone adult fantasy, so I was surprised that I found this to be incredibly enjoyable.
Highly creative and captivating, Black Sun is the first novel in the Between Earth and Sky series. Inspired by pre-Columbian American civilizations, this is a story about prophecy, magic, tragedy, and revenge, shown through the lens of multiple points of view.
Roanhorse's writing style is excellent. Although I typically struggle with the fantasy genre, I was hooked by the first chapter. Detailed and clever, each character is unique and whole, all with their own admirable characteristics and flaws. The plot builds at a steady pace, definitely maximizing the effects of the last few scenes.
I also immensely appreciated the diversity. There were a variety of gender identities and sexualities represented (including a person who uses xe/xir pronouns!). These identities were normalized, which was a refreshing break from constantly seeing non-cis/het characters being bashed and belittled in fiction--we have enough of that in real life.
Overall, I would highly recommend Black Sun. I rarely read fantasy or adult, let alone adult fantasy, so I was surprised that I found this to be incredibly enjoyable.
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
Perfect fantasy read for Native American Heritage Month!
Black Sun is a fantasy story with a full cast of indigenous people living in their own nation. There are various cities and clans who have their own traditions and gods. The story moves back and forward in time shifting through various characters. All chapters are identified by the "time until convergence". The convergence is when a total eclipse falls on the same day as winter solstice. This celestial event holds significance due to a prophecy:
A god will return
When the earth and sky converge
Under the black sun
We meet a woman who is a Sun Priest in the holy city of Tova. Xiala is another woman ,of Teek descent, who has an affinity with water. She pilots ships and can calm rough seas. Xiala is hired to transport a Serapio, a young man, to Tova. Serapio is covered with scars carved into his skin and was blinded as a child by his mother. Serapio has his destiny laid out before him since childhood.
This is the first in the series, meaning that there was a lot of world building. The author did a great job with this. It was interesting to envision a thriving society of indigenous people, unmarred by European colonization. The characters each had their own backstories . At first I had a bit of trouble remembering who was who but I got ahold of it soon enough. There is a lot of intrigue and plotting between the various clans and power plays within clans. It is the sort of epic tale where there is no clear good side and bad side.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series!
What to listen to while reading...
Ain't No Sunshine by IndianNation
Sunblind by Fleet Foxes
Look at this (Remix) by A Tribe Called Red
Every Little Thing She Does is Magic by The Police
I'm Going Home by Buffy Sainte-Marie
Bleeding by Yo La Tengo
Wasted by Tomberlin
Black Sun by Death Cab for Cutie
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
Black Sun is a fantasy story with a full cast of indigenous people living in their own nation. There are various cities and clans who have their own traditions and gods. The story moves back and forward in time shifting through various characters. All chapters are identified by the "time until convergence". The convergence is when a total eclipse falls on the same day as winter solstice. This celestial event holds significance due to a prophecy:
A god will return
When the earth and sky converge
Under the black sun
We meet a woman who is a Sun Priest in the holy city of Tova. Xiala is another woman ,of Teek descent, who has an affinity with water. She pilots ships and can calm rough seas. Xiala is hired to transport a Serapio, a young man, to Tova. Serapio is covered with scars carved into his skin and was blinded as a child by his mother. Serapio has his destiny laid out before him since childhood.
This is the first in the series, meaning that there was a lot of world building. The author did a great job with this. It was interesting to envision a thriving society of indigenous people, unmarred by European colonization. The characters each had their own backstories . At first I had a bit of trouble remembering who was who but I got ahold of it soon enough. There is a lot of intrigue and plotting between the various clans and power plays within clans. It is the sort of epic tale where there is no clear good side and bad side.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series!
What to listen to while reading...
Ain't No Sunshine by IndianNation
Sunblind by Fleet Foxes
Look at this (Remix) by A Tribe Called Red
Every Little Thing She Does is Magic by The Police
I'm Going Home by Buffy Sainte-Marie
Bleeding by Yo La Tengo
Wasted by Tomberlin
Black Sun by Death Cab for Cutie
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy!
eviemann's review against another edition
The presence of neo pronouns really took me out of the world. I think that they/them pronouns would have fit better. Maybe even doing research on what old north and Central American societies called nonbinary people
stuckinafictionaluniverse's review against another edition
4.0
I can't be the only one who thought this was YA for the longest time? The cover, the synopsis, the mentions on Booktube. Imagine my surprise when I opened the book and found out one of the main characters is 27! Well, that actually made the romance more enjoyable for me as the main romance was mature yet exciting. I adored these characters and the way they cared for each other. The book contains a very sensual relationship between two magical beings without more explicit scenes, but still a fair amount of tension and steam (oh wow, that honey scene...).
I think I would have enjoyed Black Sun even more if I'd read it during a holiday and had the time to immerse myself in this story. It is difficult for me to fully grasp a fantasy world while preparing for exams, as I only have time to read a few minutes a day. This is a wonderfully creative and expansive fantasy novel, inspired by pre-Columbian America. It has been a while since I read such a well-done concept, with tropes like the chosen one and struggle for power at the center. A unique blend of magical powers, political tension and even marginalized identities.
I really enjoyed Serapio and Xiala's character arcs and the setting of the boat. Naranpa and Okodo's stories were a bit slow as they focused on politics, and didn't convey the same feeling of high stakes as the ancient prophecy (I love me a good prophecy). These narratives focused on the struggle for power and the relationships between different groups in Tovah. Meanwhile the chapters on the boat were more character-driven and more enjoyable to me. I quickly grew very attached to Serapio and Xiala, and could have read a whole book only about their relationship. Now I'm very interested to see in which direction the author will take the series, I honestly think this could have been a solid standalone.
I think I would have enjoyed Black Sun even more if I'd read it during a holiday and had the time to immerse myself in this story. It is difficult for me to fully grasp a fantasy world while preparing for exams, as I only have time to read a few minutes a day. This is a wonderfully creative and expansive fantasy novel, inspired by pre-Columbian America. It has been a while since I read such a well-done concept, with tropes like the chosen one and struggle for power at the center. A unique blend of magical powers, political tension and even marginalized identities.
I really enjoyed Serapio and Xiala's character arcs and the setting of the boat. Naranpa and Okodo's stories were a bit slow as they focused on politics, and didn't convey the same feeling of high stakes as the ancient prophecy (I love me a good prophecy). These narratives focused on the struggle for power and the relationships between different groups in Tovah. Meanwhile the chapters on the boat were more character-driven and more enjoyable to me. I quickly grew very attached to Serapio and Xiala, and could have read a whole book only about their relationship. Now I'm very interested to see in which direction the author will take the series, I honestly think this could have been a solid standalone.
ritikaj1's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75